It might appear from a distance that Newark Catholic's do-it-all football player Kevin Bourne wears a helmet that is gold on one side and green on the other.

Mark Znidar, The Columbus Dispatch

It might appear from a distance that Newark Catholic’s do-it-all football player Kevin Bourne wears a helmet that is gold on one side and green on the other.

Actually, one side is plastered with so many star decals for exceptional play that it might as well be gold.

Bourne has been so valuable to the Green Wave (12-2) as a multi-task player in its march to the Division VI championship game against Maria Stein Marion Local today in Massillon that coaches might as well put one large star on the other side of the helmet.

“We try to give him spells here and there, but we want Kevin to be on the field and with the ball in his hands as much as possible because he makes things happen,” coach Bill Franks said. “I’v e coached 21 years, and I’ll take him over everybody. He’s football smart. He plays with a real good motor.”

As a running back, Bourne leads the team in rushing with 623 yards, in receptions (32), receiving yardage (529) and in scoring with 25 touchdowns.On special teams, he is averaging 14.7 yards per punt return and 25.6 yards on kickoff returns to lead the team. One kickoff went 84 yards for a touchdown.

As a safety, Bourne has intercepted five passes, returning two for touchdowns, and recovered three fumbles, returning two for touchdowns. Those totals also lead the team.

“Kevin is a freaky athlete and a great teammate,” junior quarterback Chayce Crouch said. “He never gets tired — ever. He is so full of energy and he’s always making plays.”

Opposing coaches, though, probably have to hit the rewind button again and again when they see Bourne snapping on field goal and extra point attempts and punts.

Why have a 5-foot-9, 175-pound player mix it up with the big boys?

“I’ve been long-snapping my entire life because my dad had me learn how to do it when I was a little kid,” Bourne said. “My dad is big on players knowing how to do a lot of things. It got on my nerves at first. Now, it’s all good. Long-snapping is a big part of the game. If it helps the team out, I’m all for it.”

No one knows the inner workings about what makes Newark Catholic football go like Bourne. Father Kelly is the defensive backfield coach, uncle Barry Winters coaches receivers and uncle Jimmy Winters coaches quarterbacks.

Bourne, a senior, is interested in becoming a coach after college. He’s off to a head start working with his father and Franks.

“I’m always watching film,” Bourne said. “I will watch the same play over and over to see what everyone on the field is doing. I’ll watch the linemen to get keys. I’ll watch the quarterback to see what he is reading. It’s a lot of fun. It took me a while to learn how to watch film.”

It didn’t take him long to learn that fitness was a must to stay on the field almost every down.

“In the offseason, I’ve run a lot on the treadmill,” Bourne said. “I’ll blend in some stairs. Coach Franks keeps me in shape during the season. Oh, yes, he keeps you running. We’ll run sideline to sideline during practice. We’ll run 40-yard dashes. I do feel it after games — absolutely. But I don’t get tired during games.”

Crouch said Bourne’s will to win — not physical fitness — is what propels him.

“With Kevin, it’s all about pushing himself to win,” Crouch said. “He’ll push me even if it’s just practice. I’ll be on offense and he’ll be on defense and he’s trying to make me better. Kevin hates to lose.”

Bourne doesn’t know much about his statistics.

“I just want to win. I hate to lose,” he said. “Ever since I’ve been a little kid I’ve been that annoying guy who just wants to win the game.”

Bourne entered the starting lineup for good the first quarter of the third game of his sophomore year when a player came out because of leg cramps.

“I always say you can’t hide talent, and there was no keeping Kevin out of the lineup from that game on,” Franks said.

“He has earned everything he has got.”

mznidar@dispatch.com

@MarkZnidar

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.